A former Michigan State University graduate student intends to seek damages from the university, claiming that her recent cancer diagnosis was caused by the university’s failure to protect her from exposure to "hazardous pesticides and herbicides" during the course of field research she was required to conduct while pursuing her master’s degree.
Court filings obtained by The State News through a public records request show the former graduate student, Linglong Wei, submitted to the Michigan Court of Claims last month a notice of intent to file a claim against MSU in connection to the allegations. Wei pursued a master’s degree from 2008 to 2011 through the Department of Horticulture under the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, according to the notice of intent.
During that time, Wei was "required to participate in field research, which involved the spraying of hazardous pesticides and herbicides, including but not limited to paraquat dichloride, glyphosate and oxyfluorfen," the notice of intent said.
"Although Ms. Wei requested personal protection equipment (PPE) and training, neither were provided. As a result of her exposure, Ms. Wei has been diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer."
Wei was diagnosed with thyroid cancer on June 26, according to the notice of intent.
Wei is seeking recovery for damages, "including but not limited to past, present, and future medical expenses, wage losses, attendant care, household services, mileage, and pain and suffering," the notice said.
Wei's attorney, Maya Green, did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.
The notice was filed against MSU’s Board of Trustees, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Department of Horticulture and the Office for International Students and Scholars. MSU spokesperson Mark Bullion declined to comment.
Also named as defendants are three former MSU employees: Bernard Zandstra, a professor emeritus in the Department of Horticulture, Peter Briggs, the former director of the Office for International Students and Scholars, and Rodney Tocco, a former research assistant in the Department of Horticulture. Zandstra and Tocco did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication, and Briggs could not be reached for comment.
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